After the huge success of "Dil Ko Raffu Karr Lei" and "Lovely Lolla", Dreamiyata Drama is back with another promising tale, "Haale Dil". Featuring the dynamic duo Manisha Rani and Nishank Verma in lead roles, the show has already stirred excitement with multiple behind-the-scenes glimpses shared online. From candid on-set moments to intense rehearsals, fans are getting a sneak peek into the magic in the making. Ravie Dubey, one of the producers of Dreamiyata Drama, is donning the director’s hat for this project and is seen in full action mode on set, orchestrating each scene with precision. Sharing the BTS pics of himself from the shoot on his official Instagram handle, Ravie penned the caption, "Get ready for Haale Dil and Tujhse Haii Ashiqui trailers ……..become members of Dreamiyata Dramaa youtube now …lots of surprises loading ..love you all @dreamiyatadramaa @dreamiyata". View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ravie Dubey (@ravidubey2312) Additionally, the makers dropped a video of Manisha posing in a simple yet beautiful saree with the caption, "surprise from #haaledil is loading." The teaser for "Haale Dil" is expected to release shortly, further building anticipation around this emotionally gripping drama. Dreamiyata Drama will also soon be releasing the teaser of their show "Tujhse Haii Ashiqui", featuring Abhishek Kumar, Amandeep Sidhu, and Mahir Pandhi. Speaking during the launch event of Dreamiyata Dramaa, Manisha, who will be seen as Indu in the show, shared her excitement about working with producers and actors, Sargun Mehta and Ravie. The 'Bigg Boss OTT Season 2' contestant revealed that she has always looked up to the work of Sargun and Ravie, and was grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with them on "Haale Dil". Talking about her role in the show, Manisha said that the character of Indu feels very special to her, as it is a reflection of her own innocence, with a slight difference in personality. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 May,2025 01:10 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSSeasoned actor Vihaan Samat, who is in the spotlight for his role as Yuvaraj Digvijay "Diggy" Singh in Netflix’s The Royals, had to undergo an intense prep to play the young king in the series alongside Ishaan Khatter. While his Clark Kent trope in the series added a comic flair, Vihaan isn’t that bad of a cook in real life! IYKYK. In an exclusive chat with Mid-day, Vihaan gets candid about the challenges he endured to play Diggy, his journey in showbiz, and more. Vihaan Samat on playing ‘Diggy’ in The Royals In the series, Vihaan plays an heir who is trapped in royalty and wishes to expand his horizons. To do so, he secretly participates in a knock-off MasterChef competition to display his culinary skills. His disguise? The classic Clark Kent trope - a pair of glasses to make him look like a nerd. Vihaan explains he always wanted to do something of that sort. But what about his cooking skills? He maintains “not the best,” but did prepare meals for himself during college days. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vihaan Samat (@vihaansamat) “I love cooking and I love good food. It used to be chicken and rice, or like pasta. I never actually even dared to touch the dals, masalas, and the sabjis that I used to have at home. Because it would never be as good, and I would just ruin it. So I drew from American ingredients and just cooked whatever I could. I used to make my milkshakes with the berries, and I learned how to poach eggs. I used to make these amazing baked potatoes with just the right amount of spice, and sweet and citrusy,” adds Vihaan. Vihaan on Call Me Bae season 2 By the end of Call Me Bae season 1, fans of the Ananya Panday-fronted series came up with a theory that Vihaan, who plays her husband, has the hots for her brother, essayed by Shiv Masand. When asked about the same, Vihaan shared, “I don't understand these theories. They’re definitely about me and Shiv’s character having a relationship. It's very random, and I think all of us are a bit confused. And we find it a bit funny. Whatever draws in the views, I guess. But I think Agastya is a very straight man. I would assume he's the kind of character that would assert his masculinity in a lot of ways, probably (laughs).” Vihaan on his journey into showbiz Vihan admits that his story hasn’t been the typical struggling type, where he didn’t have to wonder where his next meal came from, but he asserts that he’s faced a fair share of challenges because he got into showbiz sans any connections. “Every single thing I have gotten so far has only been through auditions. I don't think someone said, ‘Hey, let's take him without testing him first.’ So I take great pride in my audition skills. Of course, my dreams and aspirations are huge, and I won't stop for a very long time. I intend to be here for another 50 years at least,” Vihaan concludes.
20 May,2025 06:44 PM IST | Mumbai | Oshin FernandesShe is someone who cannot justify her existence by doing only one thing; that is why she dabbles in several forms of art, confesses actor-comedian-writer Sumukhi Suresh, when we get on a call with her as she preps for her stand-up in Dubai. The actor, who was recently seen in Netflix’s The Royals, plays assistant to Bhumi Pednekar’s character. The role, originally written for a male actor, was transformed by Suresh, who made it her own by adding her unique flavour. In conversation with mid-day, Suresh talks about the reaction to the show, how it helped pull more audiences for her stand-up special Hoemonal, and why she didn’t have the heart to ogle at Ishaan Khatter’s shirtless avatar. Excerpts from the interview. What was your reaction when you got the script for The Royals? And did you write your own dialogues?The first time the role came to me, it was a male part and the character was called Keertan. I was excited to play the part. It was cool if a boy’s role was becoming a girl’s — I didn’t mind that. It was a smaller role, but since they brought me on board, they gave me the liberty to improvise a lot, and it ended up being a longer schedule. It became quite fun eventually, and I had a blast doing it. Imagine how good the writers are, to allow an actor — to trust them — to improvise for a fiction show. That is quite a feat. Dino Morea in The Royals. Pics/Instagram What kind of reactions are you getting?The show is getting a lot of eyeballs. In fact, I was in the immigration line to go to Dubai for my show Hoemonal, and someone asked me if I was Keertana from The Royals. I said yes, and told her to come to my show. I see it this way: if it gets more people to my shows, then that’s amazing for me. Who did you ogle at more in the show — Ishaan Khatter or Dino Morea?You may have seen the final product, but we all saw Ishaan work hard to do what he did. We all felt, “Haaye bechara, kitna kaam kar raha hai.” But I did ogle at Milind Soman and Dino Morea. I also got to dance with Dino. I’m going to carry that memory with me to the next three shows. I’ll do a bit on it. After Dubai, I’m performing in Ahmedabad, and my last Hoemonal show is in Mumbai. Is acting just a hobby, or do you wish to act more in content you’ve written?I love acting. I did Pushpavalli because I wanted to act, so I thought I’d write it. I would have acted in Pushpavalli even if someone else had written it. Naveen Richard and Sumaira Shaikh were also the writers, so it was perfect. If other people are casting me — that’s the dream — then I can just act and enjoy myself. What is tougher — acting, comedy, writing? What frees your spirit?Acting really frees my spirit. I enjoy being in front of the camera; there’s a certain amount of freedom to it. It’s exciting to play someone else. Writing, for me, is more of a discipline — it’s something I’m learning, and hopefully I get better at it. Writing is the legacy I want to leave behind. Stage is what fuels me — it’s where we fail more than we succeed. We bomb a lot and get a lot of silences, and that really humbles you. After your popularity soared, have you ever bombed on stage?Yes, of course. The audience doesn’t care how popular you are. If you’re not good enough, they won’t laugh. When it bombs, it’s really beautiful. It reminds you why you’re doing this in the first place. How difficult is it to become a writer in this industry?The learning itself is a different journey. But just the opportunity, payment terms, and contracts — they’re not the most beneficial for us. The money might be good, but the cash flow is tough. If you want to become a writer, you have to do other things that can pay your bills. I’m fortunate to do stand-up, or act, or post my work on Instagram, which helps me write without the pressure of making money from it. Have you ever felt that you’re not good enough?I feel that every day. As I’m talking to you, I’m having a full-on crisis in my head, wondering if I’m a good actor. It’s both a good and a bad thing. The anxiety of over-performing stays in my head. I like to do something new on a daily basis. All that makes Sumukhi talented! 2024: CTRL (Writer) 2022: Dongri Danger (Director)2022: Hum Do Teen Chaar (Actor)2021: Comedy Premier League (Writer and performer)2020: Pushpavalli (Creator, actor, writer)2018: Comicstaan (Host and Judge)
20 May,2025 08:55 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam AbrahamAfter her breakout role in Made in Heaven 2 (2023), actor and doctor Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju returns to the screen with her second project, the psychological thriller, Kankhajura. The SonyLIV series — also starring Mohit Raina, Roshan Mathew, and Sarah Jane Dias — is the official adaptation of the Israeli series, Magpie. The show follows two estranged brothers, forced to revisit their haunted past as memories twist into a dangerous reality. Haldar plays a Catholic trans woman from Goa who finds herself entangled in a dark mystery. She says working with Mathew — her on-screen partner — was a dream collaboration. “With Roshan, it was wonderful and also a little scary as I am a huge fan of his work in Malayalam and Hindi cinema. I was a bundle of nerves just being on set with him. He has generous energy as a co-actor,” she shares. Despite her initial nerves, their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie quickly found a rhythm. Thrilled by the roles coming her way, she adds, “The volume of roles that are coming in now are interesting. There is more curiosity and openness to casting me.”
20 May,2025 08:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuAfter winning hearts as the sweet and charming Farzaan in Dil Dosti Dilemma, actor Kush Jotwani is back—this time with a thrilling twist. The young star is set to lead the cast of Knock Knock… Kaun Hai?, an upcoming young adult thriller series premiering on May 22, 2025, exclusively on Amazon MX Player. Kush Jotwani explores a thriller The newly released trailer teases an edge-of-your-seat narrative. Knock Knock… Kaun Hai? follows a group of young adults whose lives spiral into chaos after they come across a mysterious mobile app that promises to fulfill any desire. What starts as innocent curiosity soon unfolds into a web of sinister consequences. The series is set against the backdrop of romance, desire, complicated friendships, and digital temptations, and explores what happens when emotions run high, trust breaks down, and one impulsive decision changes everything. Jotwani will be seen alongside Aadhya Anand and Arjun Deswal, as they unravel the dark truth behind the app. Moving away from his romantic, easygoing persona in Dil Dosti Dilemma, Jotwani is embracing a more intense and suspense-driven character in this gripping drama. Kush Jotwani on his new role Speaking about the transition and his excitement for the new role, Kush said, "Moving from the lighthearted world of Dil Dosti Dilemma to the intense suspense of Knock Knock… Kaun Hai? has been an incredible experience. I'm thrilled for audiences to see this new side of me as an actor and to get caught up in the thrilling mystery we've created. Get ready for a rollercoaster of suspense coming your way!" Kush Jotwani made a memorable debut in Dil Dosti Dilemma, where he played Farzaan—the lovable neighbor and romantic interest of lead character Asmara. His natural screen presence and charm quickly earned him a fan base, making this upcoming role one of the most anticipated projects of his rising career. As the premiere date approaches, fans are eager to see how Jotwani takes on this darker, layered role. With a chilling plot and an exciting young cast, Knock Knock… Kaun Hai? promises to be a must-watch for thriller enthusiasts.
19 May,2025 11:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhirlwind is how Akansha Ranjan Kapoor describes the past week since Gram Chikitsalay dropped online. While the actor was nervous about how the audience would receive her village girl act, she has been left pleasantly surprised. “The reaction has been good, and it’s getting better every day. Seeing people make memes and talking about my character means it stayed with them,” she smiles. Kapoor plays a doctor in the Amazon Prime Video dramedy, which also stars Amol Parashar and Anandeshwar Dwivedi. The role is a departure from the upper-class, urban characters that she mostly played before, from Ray (2021) to Monica O My Darling (2022). “People are being able to [picture] me in this role. I bumped into a casting director who said, ‘Who cast you for this? I wouldn’t have even thought of you for such a role.’ So, I hope people can see me [in a new light].” While Kapoor, who debuted with Guilty (2020), is grateful for the opportunities so far, she wishes that casting is practised on the basis of talent, and not social media following or perception. “I hope people take a chance on me, and let go of the algorithms and metrics. When I debuted, I wanted my work to do the talking and didn’t want to get into the social media popularity rat race. Unfortunately, having acting chops isn’t the only requirement anymore. I’m trying to keep up with the market demands while being honest with my craft.”
17 May,2025 08:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaEverywhere you go this week, the one man people are discussing is Ishaan Khatter. Some are talking about his washboard abs and the many shirtless sequences in The Royals, others about how droolworthy he is as a romantic hero. Amid all the love pouring in, the actor’s takeaway is simple — “Trust your instincts”. He tells us that he went into the Netflix series, knowing that it would be entertaining. “When reading the script, I went from one episode to the next quickly. Also, it let me explore different facets of myself as a performer — whether it’s the romance, the comedy, or the drama that I tried to bring more of. It gave me all these opportunities in one role, which is rare,” he assesses. While his chiselled abs became a talking point, Khatter says the emotionality of Aviraaj’s character was beautiful to him. “When people say that, oh, it's one page, it's one minute of screen time. But what if that one line is Rome Burns, that's literally the biggest sequence of your film. The scene where he is going through his father’s stuff, it was not much to look at on the page. But when we shot it, I think we brought that out. My director allowed me to take the lead. There is a deep wound to his relationship with his father because there're so many answers that he never got. And he's still battling it and the inner child in him is still dealing with that. And for me, it was quite simple. Why does he escape? Why he is an escapist is because he's actually deeply emotionally connected and sensitive about his father. And that's why he ran away. And when he ran away, he actually didn't get to be with him in his last moment. So, he has no closure. And the guilt stayed with him. Through the series, you see him get that closure but then also get the shock of his life, obviously. It was essential for you to understand this guy and not just think he's an asshole.” Director Priyanka Ghose’s rom-com, also starring Zeenat Aman and Bhumi Pednekar, has become widely popular. What does success like this do to Khatter? “It fuels me,” he says, elaborating, “Whatever I do going forward, I don’t want to pressure myself. Let it be the driving force, but not enough to change the way I make decisions. Also, I have to enjoy this moment. I worked my butt off to get here.” A still from Homebound As he revels in this moment, another professional milestone is around the corner. Over the weekend, the actor will head to the Cannes Film Festival for Homebound’s première. Neeraj Ghaywan’s directorial venture, also starring Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, has Martin Scorsese as its executive producer. “Homebound has already given us so much. Bear in mind it's not released. Nobody has seen the film. We've just had the process so far. But even when I finished the film, I felt my heart was full. Neeraj is a very special director. His set is a beautiful place to be. It reminds you of why you want to do this in the first place. Because there are some people that just give a damn. And a lot of people don't, unfortunately. He really cares about what he's making. He reminded me of Majid Majidi in many ways. In terms of what he did for me as an actor. Not all directors take the responsibility of your acting. People hire professionals to do their job. And that's the job. But he's equally as invested in what you're bringing. It doesn't just extend to the lead actor of his film. It extends to every little detail. And who he is, is what you see in his films. He's very sensitive. He's very thoughtful. He's very empathetic. He observes those little things about life. And he's able to take you through a journey and convey his thoughts and his worldview and his social commentary in his films with such a light hand that it's never a lesson, it's never preaching, it's never a lecture. It's for you to reflect on and take away whatever you want to take from it. I love him. I, at the drop of a hat, like, will do anything with him.” Khatter will watch Homebound’s final cut for the first time at the prestigious film festival. At a time when many Indian actors go to Cannes to walk the red carpet and make news for their fashion choices, he is among the rare ones to head there with a movie. “A film festival is for the movies. Cinema is primary. My dream was always to go there with a film. I didn’t want to just go there as an attendee. So, it’s a [dream realised].” May 21When director Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound will première at Cannes Film Festival 2025
16 May,2025 04:05 PM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuFilm: American Manhunt: Osama bin LadenDirectors: Mor Loushy and Daniel SivanRating: 3.5/5Runtime: 60 min Netflix’s latest edition of the true crime anthology series American Manhunt focuses on Osama bin Laden. The new three-part series follows Osama bin Laden, one of the world’s most dreaded criminals who evaded capture for nearly a decade after planning the horrific attacks on New York City on September 11, 2001. September 11, 2001- when two 747s crashed into the World Trade Center, two other planes crashed into the Pentagon in Washington and a field near Pennsylvania, and 2,977 innocent people lost their lives. A global manhunt was launched thereafter to identify the organization behind the horrific attacks, and once it was established that Al-Qaeda terrorists led by Osama, based in Afghanistan, were involved, the target was set. Osama bin Laden was born into a wealthy family in Saudi Arabia, but quickly established himself as a militant leader. He was already on the FBI's most wanted list after declaring war on the United States on several occasions. He was impossible to find as he hid from authorities in several different locations. He was finally tracked down to a compound in Pakistan on May 2, 2011. Once that was confirmed - Operation Neptune Spear, the code name for the task of taking down bin Laden, run by a special operations military unit, came into being. Eventually, the then president of the United States Barack Obama, confirmed that the United States had carried out an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda and a terrorist responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children. This documentary recounts the decade-long global search while weaving in the 9/11 attacks, al-Qaeda’s operations, and the war in Afghanistan. It’s a largely linear, tightly edited narrative that uses interviews with intelligence officials, military operatives, government officials and journalists who were on the ground, providing firsthand insights and factual reporting. It also includes archival footage and reenactments blended in perfectly to keep the narrative engaging. It also portrays the high-stakes decision-making behind the mission while capturing the paranoia, the frustration, intelligence failures, bureaucratic slowdowns and the political maneuvering that stretched the search for bin Laden across multiple locations and administrations. The risky strategic calls that shaped the eventual raid on the Abbottabad compound are also part of the recant here. This documentary is both gripping and detailed in laying out the facts behind his notoriety and eventual death.
16 May,2025 03:37 PM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasGlobal star Priyanka Chopra is facing significant backlash after an old clip from her TV show ‘Quantico’ resurfaced, depicting a Hindu character as a terrorist. The controversial scene has sparked renewed criticism, especially amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions, with many social media users expressing their anger over the portrayal. The clip, which originally aired from 2015 to 2018, has once again ignited a debate on social media. In an old clip that has resurfaced online, Priyanka Chopra's character, FBI agent Alex Parrish, could be seen uncovering a conspiracy involving Hindu nationalists ahead of a Kashmir summit. Initially, the plot seemed to be orchestrated by Pakistanis, but Parrish uncovers that the true masterminds are Indian nationalists attempting to frame Pakistan for a planned nuclear attack in Manhattan. The plot is set to unfold just days before a crucial summit on Kashmir—a disputed region claimed by both India and Pakistan, which has been the backdrop of several wars. Chopra’s character foils the attack after noticing a Hindu symbol, the rudraksha, worn by one of the terrorists. This old scene has resurfaced amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, with Chopra receiving renewed backlash for her role in the controversial episode. Sharing the scene, an irate user wrote, “Remembering the Quantico episode where @priyankachopra busts a Hindu terr0r plot to defame innocent Pakistan Hindu terr0rist busted by her wears Rudraksha.” Another commented, “Even if it's not a B-wood series, it's still a shame to the actress and the makers of this episode.” “Chopri bhi anti national nikli,” reads another comment. One of the netizens expressed, “@priyankachopra i thought she will be sensitive and loyal to her faith and country but sab dikhawa hai...why hindus are like this? strange...” This isn’t the first time the Quantico controversy has stirred public sentiment. Back in 2018, when the episode originally aired, Priyanka Chopra faced a similar wave of backlash and was compelled to issue a public apology. Acknowledging the outrage, she tweeted, “I'm extremely saddened and sorry that some sentiments have been hurt by a recent episode of Quantico. That was not and would never be my intention. I sincerely apologise. I'm a proud Indian and that will never change.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 May,2025 02:52 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSWhere are the rom-coms? That has been a frequent question asked by Hindi cinema fans in the past few years. It’s something Ananya Panday too was missing being part of. Which explains her next two offerings — Chand Mera Dil opposite Lakshya, and the second season of her popular series Call Me Bae. “We’ll shoot Call Me Bae’s second season soon. I just wrapped a chunk of Chand Mera Dil, which is an out-and-out romantic film. I’ve done films in a cutesy space, but never featured in a dramatic love story,” she tells us. Call Me Bae 2 is being scripted With director Vivek Soni’s romantic drama and the Amazon Prime Video series, Panday is consciously gravitating towards stories that exude warmth and comfort. Her reason is simple — we can all do with a dose of joy. She says, “Bae could have been easily classified as an entitled character, but I wanted people to connect with her. She is a mood-booster, when so much of the content right now is action. We underestimate the value of feel-good cinema. Playing Bae was healing for me in ways I didn’t expect. I want my films to make the audience feel the same kind of calm, joy, and reassurance that the character gave me.” While Ananya Panday shoots for Chand Mera Dil The actor started out with the mainstream campus caper, Student of the Year 2 (2019). Six years and several acclaimed films later, her criteria for choosing projects are clear today. “I don’t want to be part of something because I feel it will be a box-office hit. I have to see an opportunity there as an actor. Also, the older I’m getting, the more I feel the responsibility of making decisions. Every time I watch a movie, I buy into it strongly. So, I know the direct impact that cinema has on people. That’s why I have to be part of films that morally align with me. That doesn’t mean I won’t play an evil character, but the [messaging] should be morally correct.” Playing rooted characters in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) and CTRL (2024) has made young women identify with her. Mention this, and Panday squeals with joy, “I am a girl’s girl. As a young girl, I [remember] how much I used to admire Kareena [Kapoor Khan] and Alia [Bhatt]. When someone tells me that their daughter loves me, it makes me the happiest.”
13 May,2025 07:26 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuIt wasn’t Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, the new pairing, or the curiosity surrounding royal lives that drew us to creators Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy’s latest show, The Royals. It was to see how yesteryear actor Zeenat Aman marks her comeback on the screen. However, when we confessed that to director Priyanka Ghose, she clarified that they had every intention for the senior actor to have more scenes. When we said we only began rooting for Khatter and Pednekar’s love story after episode six, she said, “That was by design. I knew that by then people will want them to get back together.” The Netflix eight-episode series follows the clash between an entitled prince and a tech startup entrepreneur amid a contemporary fairytale setting. In conversation with mid-day, she discussed the casting choices and why she had to hand over direction to Nupur Asthana later. Excerpts from the interview. Zeenat Aman was the biggest pull to watch The Royals. While it was a cameo, why did it feel that she was under utilised?When you’re writing a script, writers shouldn’t be limited by restraints. The minute you get to execution level, you know the challenges. You’re aware that you’ll get an actor only for a limited time and shoot only so much. As a director, you have to be clear on what to cut and what to keep. We had written and wanted more of Maajisa, but by the time we cast Zeenat ma’am, we knew her health challenges. We had spoken to her and her management, and learnt that her health would permit her only a few days. So, I worked backwards. We handpicked the scenes and calculated how much screen time to give her. I knew the key scenes she had to be part of, even in the royal ensemble during the charity fashion show. Her scenes with Sakshi [Tanwar] ma’am were non-negotiable — we needed the emotional arc. In the royal gathering, there were earlier scenes for her, but since she couldn’t shoot more days, I had to remove her from them. I shot the polo scenes for three days and the fashion show for two. It was difficult to have Zeenat ma’am sit through all that. I had to finish her parts all at once. The next day, I would shoot the opposite axis to avoid her angle. The intention was more, but the reality differed. Still, we did our best to include Maajisa in the right proportions across the season. Zeenat Aman as Maajisa When did Nupur Asthana come on board as a director?We brought in Nupur to direct episodes four and seven, which we shot last. The schedule had shifted because when we were to shoot in the mahals, it was peak wedding season in January and February. The dates shifted, and by the time we got to episodes four and seven, I wasn’t available. Rangita and I actively went out looking for a director to take over. Nupur had little to shoot in Rajasthan because her episodes were set in Mumbai and Madurai. Even the royal ball was shot in Mumbai. It broke my heart — I had done all the homework — but I had already committed to another project. How many palaces were used in the show?That’s like giving away secrets [she laughs]! Across six episodes, the entire schedule was in Rajasthan, then a short one in Goa for the opening episode, and some bits in Mumbai like the Gastronomics competition. I did three rounds of location recces. I picked different palaces because one palace doesn’t offer everything. We needed a bat-pooping corner, a dancing hall, darbar hall, exteriors, a swimming pool, and a polo ground. I went out with my production designer — incidentally, my sister Payal Ghose. The challenge was to make different locations seamlessly look like one palace. Even when we got access, we were only given empty barren halls. Payal dressed them up from scratch. Yuvanath Singh’s [Milind Soman] room was a giant open hall with no artwork or bathroom. Everything was constructed on-site by Payal and her team, including painting the walls. Sakshi Tanwar as Padmaja Singh How much of the state of royal estates shown is true?Each royal family from different provinces is positioned differently — financially, socially, or politically. On our recce trips, I had met some royals. Through those interactions, I realised every family’s trajectory is different. They might be holding onto a title from the past, but some of them are very affluent doing well after foraying into fashion, polo, politics and other fields. We showed different shades inspired by them. How did you convince Sakshi Tanwar to play such a controversial role?I knew of Sakshi ma’am through casting coach Atul Mongia, who directed her in Mai [2022] and spoke highly of her. I had to convince her of Padmaja’s arc across the season. This was new to her, and she was skeptical, but that was the challenge she took as an artiste. She was also going through a personal crisis, but I saw a hungry artiste wanting to prove herself. In three days, she found her rhythm. Watching her scenes with Ishaan on camera was a joy. Pic/Ashish Raje Ishaan was the epitome of thirst trap in this series. How did you blend his emotional and sexy sides?Ishaan in real life is a sexy, endearing, sensitive man — that was easy to portray. I was surprised no one had tapped into that before. He made Aviraaj far more likeable than he is on paper. If you just read the script, he’s a brat who behaves badly — during the will-reading and post a one-night stand. No one would root for him. But Ishaan brought more to the table. Yes, the ‘eye-candyness’ helps. His shirtless scenes didn’t feel forced and he is comfortable in his skin. I never used an inch of body make-up on him. He carried the trauma of the crown taking his father away and ran from it. Ishaan brought those layers effortlessly. Was it intentional to show the leading lady as a knight in shining armour instead of a damsel in distress?Yes, that arc was always in the story — Sophia is the one pulling the royal family out of its misery. Full marks to the women creators who thought of the female character in a wholesome way. Sophia is ambitious, but also impulsive. Was that due to Bhumi playing the part?Her impulsiveness was on paper. We leaned into it knowing Bhumi could pull it off without making it overbearing. With any other actor, I’d be skeptical. In India, we don’t easily accept authoritative women. But Bhumi has softness and vulnerability. Sophia is flawed, and only Bhumi could make her likeable. Sophia is Bhumi in real life.
13 May,2025 07:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam AbrahamADVERTISEMENT
